Circumcision

Alex · 06-24-05, 05:57 PM

Should parents have the right to circumcise their children? Whether it is for medical or religious purposes?

Real_American15 · 07-10-05, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex

Should parents have the right to circumcise their children? Whether it is for medical or religious purposes?

Both I think, if you are jewish then it is tradition if not, "it" is harder to keep clean if not circumcized.

Androvski · 07-10-05, 02:14 PM

It's female circumcision that is the most unacceptable,that is serious mutilation!
As far as male circumcision is concerned,I suppose it would be a little easier to keep the old boy clean,but it's hardly a chore if your not circumcised either.
I think the option should lie with the indivdual when they are old enough to make their own decision,not with the parents.
Of course if it's for medical reasons that's a different matter.

vauge · 07-10-05, 02:22 PM

Good question.

I think that it is indeed something that parents should be able to choose.
But, if it ever where to become "medically neccessary" in opinions of docs nationally; I belive I would have issue with that.

galenrox · 07-11-05, 03:22 PM

I'm circumcised and boy oh boy is it sweeeeeeeeet

vauge · 07-11-05, 03:26 PM

My dad said that when he went into the Marines they snipped him.
He didn't elaborate.

Is this a requirement to be in the armed forces?

shuamort · 07-11-05, 03:48 PM

In the 19th Century, circumcision became routine in English-speaking countries as a religious ideal of curbing masturbation (since that was sinful).

So why do we still do it? Habit is part, the father's choice to have his son "look just like him", a bit of ignorance, and statistics that support both ways.

Quote:

Complications from circumcision are low, approximately 0.2 to 0.6 percent. A total of three deaths have been ascribed to circumcision since 1954. In contrast, more than 1,000 U.S. men develop penile cancer each year, 225-317 of whom die. Circumcision effectively prevents penile cancer. Of 60,000 cases since 1930, fewer than 10 have involved circumcised men. Circumcision also eliminates foreskin problems such as inflammation, failure to retract, etc. These persist in non-circumcising nations such as the UK despite presumed familiarity with proper foreskin hygiene.

Quote:

One cost-benefit analysis (Ganiats et al, 1991) found that circumcision had a "net discounted lifetime cost" of $102 and a health cost of 14 hours of healthy life

(LINK WARNING, POSSIBLY NSFW)
Then there are groups like National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males (NOHARMM) that are trying to stop circumcision. And if circumcision has happened, there are products like the Tug-A-Hoy that help re-grow a foreskin.

If you get a chance, Penn and Teller did an episode about Circumcision on their show "Bullsh!t"

Given the fact that there are benefits and detriments on both sides of the fence, I don't see a problem leaving it up to the parents to determine the best course of action for their child.

Androvski · 07-11-05, 06:33 PM

Circumcision is a lot more common place in the US than in the UK.I've only met a few men who have been circumcised and then it has been for medical reasons.
Most men here remain "uncut"

Alex · 07-11-05, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Androvski

Circumcision is a lot more common place in the US than in the UK.I've only met a few men who have been circumcised and then it has been for medical reasons.
Most men here remain "uncut".

That is interesting. Do you believe that parents should have the right to have someone do it? Was it more common at one time and if it was, why no longer?

Androvski · 07-11-05, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex

That is interesting. Do you believe that parents should have the right to have someone do it? Was it more common at one time and if it was, why no longer?

Not really,I don't disaprove of circumcision and can see certain benefits,but a child should be old enough to make the choice themselves,like maybe 12yrs old,just before bah mitzvah age in the case of Judaism.
I think it may have been more common in the UK in the past,especially here in Wales at the time of the"revival",when religious fervour became almost hysterical,they certainly would not have wanted men"spilling their seed on barren ground".
Mind you the old idea that circumcision might help to prevent masturbation is laughable,an old friend of mine was circumcised and he hardly ever stopped W***ing.